How to fix the idling and drop problems in TF2

TF2 Madness? THIS. IS. THE SOLUTION!


There has been lots of RAAAAAGE on all sides of the argument concerning the idlers and the halo-wearers, and after looking at both sides of the argument, on the steam forums and via conversations, I think I have created a plan that could fix all these problems, and please over 90% of people .


1. Replace Halo’s in people’s inventories with free hat coupons. These coupons would entitle the owner to one free hat of their choice; including the halo if they want it (move the halos to the DB of available hats).


2. Implement new system: One item credit is given to every user at midnight on Sunday. If a player has scored 100 points since the past “paycheck,” give that player 2 credits instead of the one (The points don’t need to all be earned in one session). This system would break idling, as now there would be no point, the only way to get more items would be to earn more points. Also note that while these points would be farmable, most people would just prefer to earn points in a normal gameplay situation, assuming that the required amount of points is not too high.


3. Keep achievement unlocks: That way, players can continue to unlock items at their own pace, and use the item credits as supplements


4. Kill random drops, they would no longer be necessary


5. Hats and forging/buying/whatever: Allow players to forge items. One item credit = one item of choice. Items could be returned in exchange for one credit. Hats could be returned for just slightly under purchase price. You could price Hats at 5-10 credits, depending how rare you want to make them.


But what to do with the idlers?


6. Return all items to idlers, on one condition: They are flagged as dark, or illegal, items. This means you cannot trade/convert to credits/ etc, only use or delete. However, give the people who idled for items the option to turn in all their dark items, in exchange for a new halo (Same appearance and everything as the normal halo, only it would have a special name, kind of like “Community The Kritzkrieg.” I was thinking along the lines of “Aura of Redemption” instead of “Aura of Incorruptibility”. Also make it the same level as the original halo to avoid arguments). This halo would actually mean something, as the people who idled would sacrifice goods in exchange for redemption, whereas the original halo was awarded to people who didn’t necessarily make any decisions. If a player decides to keep the dark items, they will be flagged as never able to receive any form of halo (via trading, crafting, whatever), due to their greed.


Advantages of this plan:
• No more idle servers.
• System that equally rewards all players. Players who invest more time and/or skill will be rewarded for their efforts, to an extent.
• All honest players get a free hat (and idlers prove they can behave themselves)
• After Valve releases a proper list of what is and isn’t allowed (hint hint), no one will dare to defy you/find a loop hole after this incident, scared of items being deleted (This could also kill achievement servers, if Valve so desires it).
• An agreement idlers and non-idlers can agree on, and everyone trusts Valve again.
Thank you to everyone on the Steam forums who helped come up with all these ideas (I just mixed a ton together to find a combination that works). Remember to invite all your friends, if we get enough supporters, we can change TF2 for the better!

BTW, any Valve employees reading this, feel free to change any of this (especialy numbers, they are just what I thought would be fair guidelines), as long as you keep the general idea.